Cornus capitata

Cornus capitata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Cornales
Family: Cornaceae
Genus: Cornus
Subgenus: Cornus subg. Syncarpea
Species:
C. capitata
Binomial name
Cornus capitata
Synonyms

Benthamia fragifera
Benthamidia capitata
Dendrobenthamia capitata

Cornus capitata is an Asian species of dogwood known by the common names Bentham's cornel, evergreen dogwood, Himalayan flowering dogwood, and Himalayan strawberry-tree.

Description

This is an evergreen tree growing to 12 metres (39 feet) in height and width. The leaves are gray-green and pale and fuzzy underneath, and several centimetres long. It flowers during the summer, with cymes of white bracts supporting small greenish flowers. The infructescence is a small aggregate of several individual fruits fused into a red body 2 or 3 cm (3⁄4 or 1+1⁄4 in) across.

Taxonomy

There are several varieties and hybrids.

The common name Bentham's cornel derives from the alternative label Benthamia fragifera, coined by John Lindley in honour of fellow botanist George Bentham.

Distribution and habitat

It is native to the low-elevation woodlands of the Himalayas in China, India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bhutan. It is naturalized in parts of Australia and New Zealand, but is also grown elsewhere as an ornamental.

The species is naturalised in the states of New South Wales and Victoria in Australia.

Uses

The fruit is edible but usually bitter.

References

  1. ↑ Ye, J.F.; Qin, h.; Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI); IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2019). "Cornus capitata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019 e.T130047999A147642390. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T130047999A147642390.en.
  2. 1 2 "Cornus capitata". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  3. ↑ Royle, John Forbes (1834). On Benthamia fragifera, and the climate of Mussooree, its native country. London: W Nicol. p. 3.
  4. ↑ Fern, Ken (2000). Plants for a Future: Edible & Useful Plants for a Healthier World. Hampshire: Permanent Publications. p. 27. ISBN 978-1-85623-011-7.